\f\MI\ AM.IL 20, 1916.
THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTORS.
A FOKTNIGHT ago we published in " FLIGHT," under " New Com
panies Registered," the formal particulars of the Society which the
leading firms have brought into being under the above heading in
connection with the very rapidly expanding aircraft industry.. The
tnere perusal oi the names which appeared in that list is sufficient
to show the widely-spread interests which are now involved in the
making of aircraft and their component parts. Even more this can
be realised from the more extended list of firms with their represen
tatives given below, who have already decided to support this new
Society, which has as its main purpose but one object, the further
ance of the interests of the British air industry as a whole. It includes
not only the constructors of aircraft, but most of those firms who
have already laid themselves out for the construction of the special
engines most suitable for air work, whilst everybody associated with
the supplying of accessories and parts, however small, can be
identified with this very up-to-date body of traders by becoming
Associates of the Society. There is no question of the Society
being one for combining to control the regulation of prices or any
object of that character. Neither is there any intention on the part
of the body to criticise or to interfere with service matters. The
one sole idea is to foster the combined interests of the firms which
are now so deeply involved in the future of the industry, and
of those who are almost week by week joining up in some form for
the furtherance of the development of air requirements.
One feature, we understand, of the Society will be to make
arrangements so that members may exchange views upon technical
and other matters concerning the industry, and we have no doubt that
in good time a number of informative " papers" will form a feature
of meetings of the members.
It will be noted that Mr. H. -White Smith, of the British and
Colraial Aeroplane Co., Ltd., has been unanimously elected
Chairman of the Council of the Society, and the names on the list
of the Committee of Management, which we give below, to whom
the general conduct of the business has been delegated, should carry
with them the confidence of every man in the trade.
There are a multiplicity of directions in which the Society can
be of almost incalculable value to the industry as a whole, and the
fees which it has been deemed wise to attach to membership
should supply a sufficient sum to ensure the carrying out of the
objects which the founders have in mind. The entrance fee for
Ordinary Members is £$0, and the annual subscription £30. For
Associate Members the entrance fee is ;£t$ and ihe subscription J£IO.
We welcome the formation of this body as giving promise of
dealing with many very vital matters which already have cropped
up in connection with the aircraft industry, and as years go on will
probably become more aud more important to the men who have
had the courage to back their faith in this new industry, by a su' -
stantial stake.
We would repent that the temporary office of the Society is
St. Stephen's House, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, and the
Secretary pre tern, is Mr. Charles V. Allen.
L.ist of Committee of Management.
Mr. H. White Smith (Chairman of the Council), British and
Colonial Aeroplane Co., Ltd.
Major H. F. Wood, Vickers Limited.
Mr. R. O. Cary, Sopwith Aviation Co., Ltd.
Mr. G. Holt Thomas, Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
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Mr. Pcmberton-Billing's Campaign.
CONTINUING his campaign for a better air service, Mr.
Pemberton-Billing on Sunday lectured at His Majesty's Theatre,
London. Referring to his scheme for the creation of an Air Board,
Mr. Billing explained that he had already laid it before the Prime
Minister. After talking to Mr. Asquith for about halfan-hour,
explaining how to appoint an Air Board, the Prime Minister said to
him, ** God bless my soul ! Nine more jobs ! Nine more salaries !"
" I replied," said Mr. Billing, " No, by providing nine men who
are at present drawing salaries and doing nothing." The remedy
for Zeppelin raids was an organi'ed offensive which could operate
wherever Zeppelins were built or housed. We could reach by our
machines the present Zeppelin sheds, and if, for safety, the enemy
moved them to the eastern front, then we could rely on Russia to
take a hand in the game.
Mr. Pemberton-i5illing is holding a meeting at the Albert Hall,
London, on Saturday, April aoth, at 3 p.m.
Workers at the R.A.F.
A PROBLEM was offered to the local tribunal for solution by a
deputation of workers recently discharged from the Royal Aircraft
Factory, Farnborough, who asked that their position might be
defined.
The Chairman was informed that when in November last a
Mr. Howard T. Wright, J. Samuel White and Co., Ltd.
Mr. H. V. Roe, A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd.
Mr. E. B. Parker, Short Broi. ^
Mr. L. Coatalen, Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd.
Mr. E. W. Petter, Westland Aircraft Works.
List 0' Companies and Firms who havejorvially notified their
intention of foining the Society.
Name of Company or Firm. Representative on First Council.
Mr. G. Holt Thomas.
Mr. G. Holt Thomas.
Mr. Herbert Austin.
Mr. C. G. Gourlay.
Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Airships, Ltd
The Austin Motor Co. (1014) Ltd. ...
William Beardmore and Co., Ltd. ...
The Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor
Co., Ltd Mr. Robert Blackburn.
Boulton and Paul, Ltd Mr. G. E. ffiske.
The Brush Electrical Engineering
Co., Ltd Mr. B. Broadhurst.
The British and Colonial Aeroplane
Co., Ltd Mr. H. White Smith.
The Coventry Ordnance Works, Ltd. Lieut.-Col. Mansell.
The Daimler Co., Ltd Mr. E. M. C. Instone.
Darracq Motor Engineering Co., Ltd. Mr. Robert Crossley.
William Denny and Brothers ... Sir Archibald Denny, Ban.
The Dudbridge Iron Works, Ltd. ... Mr. Francis J. Piatt.
TheGrahame-WhiteAviationCo.,Ltd. Mr. F. H. Payne.
Hewlett and Blondeau, Ltd Mr. G. Blondeau.
Jouques Aviation Works ... ... Mr. L. A. Jouques.
Mann and Grimmer ... ... ... Mr. Grimmer.
Martinsyde, Ltd. ... Mr. Hamilton Fulton.
Mann, Egerton and Co., Ltd. ... Mr. G. N. C. Mann.
D. Napier and Son, Ltd Mr. H. T. Vane.
Handley-Page, Ltd Mr. F. Handley-Page.
Phoenix Dynamo Manufacturing Co,,
Ltd Mr. P. J. Pybus.
Parnall and Sons ... Mr. George G. Parnall.
A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd Mr. H. V. Roe.
Robey and Co., Ltd Mr. Ashley P. Pope.
Ruston, Proctor and Co., Ltd. ... Mr. F. H. Livens.
The Standard Motor Co., Ltd. ... Mr. R. W. Maudslay.
S. E. Saunders, Ltd Mr. S. E. Saunders.
Short Bros Mr. E. B. Parker.
The Sopwith Aviation Co., Ltd. ... Mr. R. O. Cary.
The Sunbeam Motor Car Co., Ltd.... Mr. L. Coatalen.
The Siddeley-Deasy Motor Car Co.,
Ltd Mr. J. D. Siddeley.
Fredk. Sage and Co., Ltd Mr. E. C. Gordon England.
The Norman Thompson Flight Co.,
Ltd Mr. Norman A. Thompson.
Vickers Ltd Major H. F Wood.
Westland Aircraft Works Mr. E. W. Petter.
J. Samuel White and Co., Ltd. ... Mr. Howard T. Wright.
G. and J. Weir, Ltd Major J. G. Weir, R.F.C.
Wells Aviation Co., Ltd Mr. R. F. Wells.
Whitehead Aircraft Co., Ltd. ... Mr. J. A- Whitehead.
Wolseley Motors Ltd. Mr. B. Caillard.
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Territorial unit was formed, all the employees at the factory joined ;
they were medically examined and attested, signed on for four years,
and were given uniforms. Recently a number had been discharged
from the factory, and this brought about automatically their dis
charge from the unit which they had joined. No steps had been
taken to transfer them to any other unit, although a certificate to
the following effect had been given to some of them : " This man
is enlisted in the Hampshire Aircraft Parks of the Royal Flying
Corps (Territorial Force) by reason of his being an employee of the
Royal Aircraft Factory. He is leaving the factory, and will theretore
be discharged or transferred from this corps, and if you accept him
I will on notification arrange accordingly." These certificates were
in some cases presented to the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal
Engineers, but the applicants for enrolment were told in each
instance that these particular corps were full.
The men wished to know whether they were to be considered ;is
di.'chatged soldiers, or treated as conscripts. Some had already
received notice under the Military Service Act.
The Chairman said it was an extraordinary position, and the
members of the tribunal fully sympathised with the men, especial^
as several of them had joined up of their own accord early «n'"e
war, and had been brought back by the factory authorities. Trie
question was adjourned in order to secure a ruling from a big'161
authority.
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